I Live Here

I've never been prouder to be a Calgarian, and, like so many others, remain grateful for the life this city has offered me. Times are uncharacteristically tough right now for many Calgarians but in true Albertan fashion, when the going gets tough, the tough get going! What is it about this city and Alberta that makes us so resilient and optimistic? Maybe its because we live in one of the most beautiful cities in Canada! Our city is made up of a growing legion of dazzling communities, each with its own unique character, culture, and unwavering sense of pride.

I LOVE HERE

If you live here, you already know about the people and if you don't, you will be in for a pleasant surprise! Calgarians are the most genuine, welcoming, hard working, and friendly of any you have ever encountered. I’m a born and bred small town Alberta girl (Coaldale). When I was 18, I moved to Calgary and have never looked back. It’s my home and I know it and love it inside out and backwards. What I love most is the motorcycle riding and the comradery that goes with it, the mountains that keep us occupied all winter, and oh the inexhaustible selection of remarkable restaurants and notable shopping. Thank you Calgary!

I WORK HERE

If you would like to know what your house is worth today, contact me (link) for a free no strings attached evaluation The real estate market and the economy have seen a lot of change in the past few years, presenting great opportunity for many but huge financial and real estate challenges for others. Good news. The market is coming back. Every month the number of units being sold is going up, homes are selling faster, and as confidence grows, so does the inventory. This means the value of your house is likely going up too.

About

This is about me but it’s really all about you!

Some people might think I’m crazy because I follow my heart. It may be so, but it drives who I am and how I live my life. I believe in taking chances and risking it all for something or someone I truly believe in. Integrity, hard work, and love have led me to this beautiful full life that I live. Real Estate is an extension of that.

I am so grateful everyday for my clients that come to me from friends and those that find me on their own. Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for working with me. And thank you for your business.

– Karen

My Education

Karen completed her Real Estate Education at University of British Columbia, Sauder School of Business and holds a Graduate Degree in Leadership from the University of Calgary. Prior to her career in Real Estate she held several positions as an Executive Leader in Public Sector service delivery. Here she was able to develop and hone her above average mediation, problem solving skills and negotiation skills. All, helping her to ensure that your Real Estate transaction is success.

My Life

Karen is a proud mama to two twenty-something (awesome) kids who are now building their lives in Vancouver BC. When she isn’t buying and selling home for you or herself, you might find her riding a twisty road on her HD-Road King®, racing down a ski hill, or dining on a 17th avenue patio close to home. Karen strives for work-life balance and as a result, will always make sure she has the time and energy to give her all to you when you need it.

My Experience

Karen has been buying, selling, and investing in Real Estate in Calgary and Kelowna for over 20 years and at one time was licensed in Real Estate in both BC and Alberta. She has successfully ‘flipped’ several homes in both communities and has owned and managed multiple rental properties. This experience allows Karen to guide all of her clients toward sound investment decisions. The purchase of a home, whether as a primary or investment property, is one of the biggest investments you will make in your lifetime. Don’t leave it to chance.

Featured Listing

Sorry we are experiencing system issues. Please try again.

How I Work

I will work tirelessly to defy mediocrity and create the best real estate experience you have ever had – hopefully one you will want to tell your friends about. I rely on tried and true process, sound facts, and expert knowledge to ensure buying or selling your home is painless and exciting.

I am the person you can rely on to go the extra mile for you every time!

The Meet

Finding the right REALTOR®

Finding the right REALTOR® is the first step to a successful home buying experience. Like any business relationship, a personal connection with your Real Estate Agent will go a long way in making your experience a positive one. Let’s connect, learn something about each other and then … do business.

Elimination and Selection

Home buying is a process of both elimination and selection. We will work together to ensure that I really understand what you need and want from your experience and find you the perfect home for you. As a real estate advisory expert, I make it our business to review the process from beginning to end to make sure we don’t have any insurmountable surprises along the way.

Get Pre-approved

Whether you are looking for your dream home or you are buying a flip house, we can help you score the right property. We will get you pre-approved before you start looking. You can do this with your bank or personal broker or if you would like to work with my business professional mortgage partners, we have access to nearly 50 lenders to find you the right mortgage and the best rates.

Buying

Here’s why you should have your own REALTOR®.

Loyalty & Confidentiality

Here at Century 21 Bamber Realty, your REALTOR® is required to give their undivided loyalty to you. I will protect your negotiating position at all times and maintain the confidentiality of your personal information and circumstances in order to do so. So whether you are selling home or buying one, I will work hard at improving your negotiating leverage. Also your Realtor® is connected and aware of inventory before the general public. I can help you find your dream home before someone finds it first.

Negotiating Power

The seller’s REALTOR® is not permitted to recommend or suggest a price, negotiate on your behalf, advise you on the market, inform you of the seller’s bottom dollar price, or disclose any confidential information about their client who, by the way, is NOT you. This greatly compromises your negotiating leverage. Your own REALTOR® is working for you and you only – the buyer. As Calgary’s best, it’s my job to ensure that you get the best possible deal.

Binding Contracts

As an expert real estate advisor, a REALTOR® is required to have expert knowledge of both the buying and selling Real Estate but also the market you are buying in. I will make it my business to collect all the available history on the properties you are interested in and the listing agent. This allows me to work with you to write a legally binding contract that will protect you and purchase your home at the right price.

Selling

Top 3 Reasons you should list with a REALTOR®.

There are many reasons that you should list your home with a REALTOR® but working with someone who has intimate knowledge of the Real Estate market and understands how to strategically market your home, are among the most important. Home sales have a rippling impact on comparable home sales and prices in the market place. In Calgary, right now, t’s a Buyer’s Market. I can you help you analyze specific events and trends in your geographic location and market segment that will positively impact your sale.

Competitive Pricing

Pricing a listing properly is the best way to attract buyers. I will do a comprehensive market analysis of the market at the exact time you want to sell and help you understand how your home stacks up against the competition. In the current market, the ‘right’ price can change from week to week and in some cases from day to day. We will work together to review all of the market data so that we can decide on a competitive price together. Remember, the longer your home sits on the market, the more likely it is to be perceived as undesirable and the more you open yourself up to ‘low-ball’ offers.

Speed of Sale

Expert marketing goes far beyond the scope of simply placing a home on MLS. Proper marketing, preparing your home to sell, and competitive pricing will ensure maximum exposure of your property to the public, investors, and other realtors – bringing more buyers, quicker. I will proactively promote your property to my database, provide expansive web-based marketing, network with the best agents in the area and advise you on preparing your home to sell. Remember its not important that your home appeals to you anymore, its important that it appeals to others. I may ask you to clean it, stage it, fix it, de-personalize it and and de-clutter it but it WILL sell.

Peace of Mind

Does a hassle free, stress free sale appeal to you? I will guide you objectively and evaluate every buyer’s proposal without ever compromising your negotiating position. The initial agreement you make with a buyer is only the beginning of a process of appraisals, inspections, financing, and closing. There are a lot of potential challenges between your offer and the actual closing of the sale. I will provide you with complete transaction management. Your house is not SOLD until all conditions are removed. My team will ensure your sale closes successfully on time.

RESEARCH HAS FOUND THAT HOMEOWNERS CONSISTENTLY OVERESTIMATE THE MARKET VALUE OF THEIR HOMES BY 5 TO 10% AND THAT 56% OF LOWERED THEIR ASKING PRICE AT LEAST ONCE TO ADJUST FOR THIS (NAR) SOURCE: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS (NAR)

82% of Real Estate sales are the result of your REALTOR’S contacts

After Closing

My client appreciation program means that I won’t forget about you after the closing. I am committed to providing you with service before, during, and after the sale. If you choose, I will continue you provide you will valuable information about our real estate market and the value of your home. You can rely on me to be your source of referrals for all types of businesses and I will never be too busy for any of your referrals.

Referrals are the greatest compliment a REALTOR® can receive.
It’s my business to make you proud that you referred to me. If you aren’t sure how to refer me ask.

We want to change
peoples lives

You can rely on me to work tirelessly to make you happy, deserve your trust, and guarantee that you will have the best real estate experience you’ve ever had.

Our Services

We Are Here For You

Strategic Marketing

We are here to serve you. the use of a strategic marketing plan is imperative

Personalized property website and domain

Individualized signage

Comprehensive social media marketing

Professional networking

Professional photography and videography

Professional RMS measurement with 2D and 3D floor plans

Free staging and design services

Continuous market analysis

Marketing & Investment Analysis

Review of current market activities and trends are key to the success of your experience.

Review of Active, Sold, Expired, and Cancelled listings for up to 365 days

Comprehensive Market Trend Review

Neighborhoods and Geographic Trends

Construction and Condo Specific Info

Foreclosures and Stress Sale Advice

Complete Sales History (Properties of Interest)

Investment expertise for ‘flip’ and investment properties

Staging & Design

Do a little or do a lot. Make buyers fall in love. Get a list of free things you can do to enhance your home.

Free Property Enhancement Checklist

Realtor Walk Through and Design Consultation

Targeted Spending Recommendations (if you choose)

Highest Use Assessment

Full and Easy Access to Trades and Services

Free Showing Tips and Tricks

Client Testimonials

What my Clients are Saying

I’m writing today about my experience having Karen Blain as my Realtor®. Karen walked me through the process from beginning to end and I really felt like we were working together throughout the entire process. She seemed as excited and invested in my purchase as I was.

When I first contacted her, she asked me a lot of questions, reviewed the buying process and made sure I had done everything I need to do for us to move forward. By the time we were done, I believe she knew exactly what I was looking for and I knew exactly how we were going to work together. We started searching for properties together and through a process of elimination and selection and we found out pretty quickly what my “must haves” were.

Buying a home can be a bit trying at anytime but when I was looking all of the properties I wanted were flying off the market pretty quickly. Karen wasted no time connecting with my mortgage broker started going to preview places for me. I was away at work at the time, so when she thought she found the one, she arranged to do a video walk through with me. I walked through it (virtually) with her and after seeing it, realized it was the one for me. Karen presented the offer and negotiated and great price and the exact terms I wanted. She handled everything while I was away, sent me documents to sign electronically and went through them with me on the phone. She referred me to a great lawyer she trusted, connected with my mortgage broker, advised me on colors and new flooring, and found me a contractor to do my renos.

I am now the proud owner of a home that is just right for me! Thank you Karen for making this such an easy thing to do! I would recommend Karen anytime and to anyone who is looking to buy or sell a home. She’s seriously the best!